“Rising Down,” is Philly Hip-Hop Legendary super-group, The Roots‘ 8th album and that sh*t is absolutely f*cking fabulous.
["Rising Up" feat. Wale & Chrisette Michelle]
The album opens up with “The Pow Wow,” a crazy phone convo between Blackthought (Emcee extraordinaire/frontman of The Roots) & ?uestlove (producer/drummer extraordinaire) screaming at what I can only assume to be their manager about being taken advantage of. This meeting of the minds is anything but friendly, but it sets a tone to the album that left me ready for something confrontational and unapologetic.
The first song on the album is “Rising Down,” featuring Mos Def & Stles P. While I LOVE this song immensely (that ?uestlove beat is the hardest sh*t since MC Ren!) I felt it strange to open a Roots album hearing Mos Def. I am a thorough supporter/fan of Tariq “Blackthought” Trotter, and the vast array of guest appreances on this album made me feel a bit cheated as to hearing only a single verse from him on most songs. I DID love that they had folks you might not expect on board with this project (ie: Saigon, Styles P, Peedi Peedi, etc). In comparison to most of Hip-Hop, esecially the newcomers, these dudes can do no wrong in my (highly critical/analytical, rap-nerd-to-the-fullest) book. This crew ALWAYS puts it down and does something totally unique and different with each project they produce. I have yet to see them live (which kills me), but I know it’ll happen someday.
My Fav Joints on “Rising Down.”
- “Rising Down” feat Mos Def & Styles P
- “Get Busy” feat Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi
- “Criminal” feat Truck North & Saigon
- “I Will Not Apologize” feat Porn(?) & Dice Raw
- “Unwritten” feat Mercendez Martinez
- “Rising Up” feat Wale & Chrisette Michelle
Sonically, this is one of my favorite Roots albums of all time. It probably is #3 behind “Things Fall Apart” and “Game Theory.” I liked it more than “The TIpping Point,” (#4) because of its musicality, but less because I loved the way “The Tipping Point” showcased Blackthought’s meticulous/superfulous lyrical genius.
This aint even on “Rising Down,” but I have to end with this small tribute to Blackthought along with my begging for him to complete that “Dangerous Thoughts” collabo album (with DangerMouse!) I heard cats talking about a while back.
[The Web off of their last album, "The Tipping Point."]
(Press Play. Read along. Be amazed.)
And it weights a ton / ‘riq geez motherfuckers I’m a son of a gun / Black master of any trade under the sun / Talk sharp like a razor blade under the tongue / clear my path and come get your captain hung / Trying to breath like black’ll collapse your lungs / Young chump you could choke off the web I spun / I done cleared ‘em out from the threat I brung / You done heard about what set I’m from / My nigga, word-a-mouth little rule-a-thumb / Y’all better bow down when the ruler come / I’m a real hood nigga not a hood-a-lum / The way Thought put it down be confusin’ some of y’all / cats can’t walk while chewin’ your gum ‘n all / With a keyboard got do with a drum ‘n all / School ‘em on stage like I’m doin’ a seminar / Professional type, I’m adjusting my mic / Go to war kid I’ll give you any weapon you like / Give you something to run from, bust off your dum-dum / Stop kid, that hot shit you know where it come from / It’s philly world-wide phenomenom / And reinforcin’ that shit is my 9-to-5 / And when I finish making you recognize / I’m getin’ at a couple civilized women that’s tryin’ to ride / You were waitin’ on the raw to come off the oil / You wanna get the bitches up off the wall / Just to see you smile and enjoy yourself / To keep you in health, this for all of y’all / I’m quick on the draw like Black McGraw / And I can’t tell what y’all cats rappin’ for / My name ‘riq geez and I’m back for more / To get more chips than the corner store / with a portrait of Malcom X on the door / while I’m eatin’ MCs like a carnivore / Matter fact, ease back ‘fore you get harmed / Ring the, warning horn when I’m gon’ perform / The first nigga that move, or disturb the goove / I’m a have y’all flicks on the evening news / Play y’all part – get on y’all P’s and Q’s / And when y’all think Thought, be prepared to lose / Bring money to spend and somebody to lend / And some worthwhile money not twenties and tens / Get took for your tuck right in front of your ‘hens / Who coulda help you nigga, not none of ya friends / Because, I put a black fist under ya chin / Have your physical remains found under the pen / If I’m coming up in the place, I’m coming to win / Wasn’t in it for a minute, now I’m dumbin’ again / ‘riq geez ock, y’all can chat what y’all please / Receive what I’m gonna give back to y’all please / ‘cuz y’all don’t really wanna get clapped with all these / My man, you can take y’all strap when y’all leave / You see the squad come in the place, they all freeze / Ice cold, with his mellow cool breeze / MCs, never showed loyalty yet / Kool Herc ain’t never get a royalty check / I do work, no question, and bomb your set / I’m calm collect, sharp like my name Gillette / RIP my man Gillette / Until I touch the mic, y’all people ain’t seen danger yet / I’m a decorated vet, I regulate and wreck / Never hesitated yet, I’m gettin’ heavy weighted checks / If you would dare ask if I’m dedicated – yes / I spit, live rounds that would penetrate a vest / Nigga, take ya seats I’m a demonstrate a test / How to freak the beats, so gangsta fresh / And it thump, from the east coast to Bangladesh / Big bank, willy gank smoke the thing to death / But hold tight, cuz it’s not over yet / I don’t even feel like I’m not sober yet / And it ring like shots in the projects new year’s eve / And it ain’t even October yet / I’m a big bounty hunter like Boba Fett / Y’all more shell shocked then a soldier get / If the prize in my sights then I’m goin’ for this / Whoo whoo ‘riq geez be the ultimate / I’m the corporate, give me the bulk of this / ‘riq set it on the magnetic ultra tip / Get down how you ‘posed to get / I got nothing to lose, I’m a killer with no regrets / I’m like young LL, cuz I’m hard as hell / Makin’ niggaz screw face like Gargamel / Now I’m all out on my own like Patty LaBelle / Put the pimp game down on your mademoiselle…
Keep the beat goin’
Keep the beat goin’
Church.
(You can’t tell me he don’t look jus a lil bit like THE GS (Oakland) Warrior, B.Diddy.)
(…except, I don’t think Blackthought woulda taken this pic. Wut the wizzle, Boom Dizzle?)
“The future is now, no muting the sound, through music I found my ROOTS underground…”
Please support these incredible mahf*ckas and buy their CD today.
PAZ.
Sen
9 comments
May 6, 2008 at 10:40 am
K-Chedda
This ish is straight fire! I bought my copy the day it dropped and was not disappointed. Truthfully, I think Black is stronger when he has other emcees surrounding him, it makes his verses more pronounced to me. I dunno, my favorite Roots album is “Things Fall Apart” like you, and that one had tons of verses from Malik B, Dice Raw, Mos Def and other guests, so I guess I was accustomed to hearing the Roots as comprised of a bunch of different voices on the mic, as opposed to just Thought.
That’s what I love about “Rising Down.” They started bringing back the “multiple emcee” Roots sound on “Game Theory,” bringing back Malik B and adding Peedi, but they totally expanded on it with “Rising Down” and take it to another level. It’s no disrespect to Thought, but I feel like having multiple voices on the mic only further reinforces the concept of the Roots as a collective of emcees, musicians, etc. instead of just being “Black Thought’s band.” I’m a Wu-Tang head so you know I’m all about the rap groups with an army of emcees.
Peace,
KC
May 6, 2008 at 10:49 am
colinresponse
Great point! I think I am just a huge fan of ‘thought and would really love to hear him do a dolo album that allows him to get some shine and really put himself out there. I think most ppl forget how talented he is because he is always associated as part of a band.
In any case, this album is just too fresh and I havent stopped knockin it since I bought it. I love these dudes and will cotinue to support them til im old and grey.
Falling Up,
C+
May 6, 2008 at 5:46 pm
G-Mitch
I never really appreciated the roots until the tipping point came out and i was finally at a point in where i could say, “it’s bout time i give them a shot.” That was in 04 or 05. It was at a point where rap really wasn’t about SHIT, like the lowest point for music to me, and i was in desperate need for somebody who was saying something about something. I found enough of that with the Tipping Point. The knock i always seemed to have with Black Thought is that i KNEW he was spittin’ CRAZY but I never could remember what the fuck he was spittin about. That’s still my knock on him really, but now i’m just able to appreciate that it seems like that cat just BLACKS OUT and what comes out is FIRE. He’s just a pure muhfuckin MC, one of those cats who just came up when fools were really just spittin to spit, freestylin crazy and all that shit. One of the people who would actually FREESTYLE like how FREESTYLING began, not what it has begun, at least as far as the mainstream where it’s almost always written shit, which don’t get me wrong- i’m not hatin’ because i also know that a mainstream audience is in need of instant gratification and doesn’t have time/appreciation for actual freestylin’.
The song that really hit me recently was “Get Busy” wit Peedi Crack and Dice Raw, its BANANAS! That shit was just so much different than other shit i’ve heard from the Roots, it made me know that this would probably be my favorite Roots album (even though i haven’t listened to the others, i know). But i really love that hard/edgy shit. Not hard in the sense of rapping about killing people and homophobia and all that shit, but rather in the sense of really agitated in that I NEED TO BE HEARD RIGHT NOW type of feeling, make sense? But yea man, i havent got the album yet, or the Gnarls yet, and i probably won’t actually buy another one until i get out of this 800 dollar debt and i’m out of school, but everyone who can should definitely support this ridiculously raw shit.
Peace Cheddar and C++ and anyone else,
G.
May 6, 2008 at 6:28 pm
colinresponse
Uz a G, G. Barack Obama just won DECISIVELY in NC, the lit. ca(n)non just got put onto iTunes and im listening to ‘rising down’ as I write this. Im basically feelin’ pretty damn good this very minute despite all the madness and theatircs that surround me.
I SUPER feel you on why you both like and dislike Blackthought. I was always way more into the artsy/thoughtful/’political’ (or as the youngsters call it: “gayass-b*tch-sh*t”) side of Hip-Hop and its potential as a vehicle for social change/movement. Its for this reason that I gravitate towards dudes like ‘thought. There is a part of me that sees through his expression, the undeniable love and respect he has for Hip-Hop in its most original form.
I realize though in my vast appreciation for Rap music, that emcees like him are but a slice of the “whole pie.” There are Hip-Hoppas who love this sh*t because it speaks about the drug game, there are folks who are in it for sport/battles/props, some are into the business side of it, etc. I love it Hip-Hop for all these reasons and I think THE ROOTS GO because they have a bit of allahdat in their music.
I always appreciate yours and Cheddar’s “black/yellow-thought(s)” on all the issues we think about on a daily basis! My next enrty is on some whole other crazy sh*t and is hella long. I hope yall check it out.
Thanx for stopping by. Ill burn all those CDs for you until youre able to handle that debt bruhbruh.
Bless
C
p.s. PeediCrackCocaine (the rapper, NOT the drug) GOES.
May 6, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Hot DAMN!!! « Slavename
[...] in a minute so i just wanted to post it especially since in the past hour i’ve read this, this, and this about the new Roots album and i’m really juiced to get that ish. The interviewer [...]
May 7, 2008 at 10:30 am
slavename
HEll yea you right. that is the truth man-go pickle (no homophobia) down river. Black Thought is dope as fuck and needs to be thought of as so. It’s our job, well mainly Lupe Fiasco since he got the pub to make that “gayass-b*tch-sh*t cool. Not to put it all on him or somethin, of course….hahaha.
G.
May 7, 2008 at 8:00 pm
The Roots & Santogold « The Cheddar Box
[...] brothers Colin and Greg have already written it up, but the new album, “Rising Down” by Philly natives [...]
May 11, 2008 at 8:13 pm
KG
im glad you are feeling this album.
ps. that pic of baron davis and laura bush made me cringe, dont ruin my heroes!
May 12, 2008 at 10:09 am
colinresponse
Daahahahaha! Yea, Baron and Laura together hurts me soul. Thanks for checking the blog out KG. “The Playground” GOES and I am an avid subscriber to yalls brilliant/resilient independent thought.
Bless
C